Rebel senior speaks at middle school in between games

Courtesy of Lois and Jerry Tarkanian Middle School

UNLV senior guard Justin Hawkins poses with members of the Lois and Jerry Tarkanian Middle School Lady Shark basketball team and their coaches Thursday, January 31, 2013. Hawkins spoke at the school in front of nearly 500 eighth graders and faculty.

Balancing school and basketball was the crux of the conversation for Hawkins, who’s on a quasi farewell tour with visits like this. A member of UNLV’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Hawkins is often the face of the program for community outreach events like this. He admitted to being a bit nervous, though, as this was the biggest crowd he could remember speaking to.

Hawkins scored points with the faculty for that first quote, which he explained means listening to teachers and parents or authority figures who are trying to help. And while the autograph and photo session is probably what most kids will talk about in the hallways, Hawkins did his best to impart some wisdom, including valuing the time management skills that have saved his life in college and understanding that the path to success starts early. Like, say, the eighth grade.

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